The attack on the alleged narco-trafficking vessel comes amid rising tensions in the region and an ongoing standoff with Venezuela
The US has destroyed another alleged narco-trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, killing several people, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday. The strike comes amid spiraling tensions in the region and a standoff between the US and Venezuela.
US Southern Command reported that a “lethal kinetic strike” was carried out against a vessel allegedly operated by a designated terrorist organization as it was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route in international waters. Four male “narco-terrorists” were killed in the strike, it added.
The attack was part of Operation Southern Spear, an anti-drug campaign launched by US President Donald Trump during which Washington has significantly expanded its military presence in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, deploying naval and air assets. At least 99 people are said to have been killed in strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels in the region since September.
The operation has drawn criticism internationally, with Venezuela and Colombia arguing it is an attempt by Washington to begin a resource grab in the region rather than a counter-smuggling effort.
On Dec. 17, at the direction of @SecWar Pete Hegseth, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organizations in international waters. Intelligence confirmed that the vessel was transiting along a known… pic.twitter.com/Yhu3LSOyea
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) December 18, 2025
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has also argued that the act of sinking civilian chips without trial is “illegal.”
The latest strike was reported just ahead of Trump’s prime-time address to the nation on Wednesday night, during which many had speculated the president would declare war on Venezuela – although this did not happen.
Last month, the US designated the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist organization, alleging links to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, an accusation rejected by Caracas. This week, Trump went further by declaring the Venezuelan government itself a foreign terrorist organization and ordering a blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving the country.
The moves have sparked concerns of a direct military conflict between the US and Venezuela. However, during his Wednesday address, Trump focused on domestic and foreign policy priorities and made no reference to the escalating standoff with Caracas.
Maduro has condemned the blockade as illegal under international law and has accused Washington of seeking regime change to seize Venezuela’s natural resources. He has called on the United Nations to respond to what he described as an escalating threat to regional peace.
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